Flies! Flies! Flies!

[merogers]

Rolled out to the Target Ship this morning. After a couple of drifts, we realized we were being attacked by an incredible number of biting nast flies. This was way worse than anything I've experienced on the bay. We stopped an ran full-bore away from the ship to escape them. They were incredibly persistent, they ducked into every breeze free nook and cranny on the boat. I smacked a life preserver than was hanging off the leaning post and every bit of 50 or so flies had sought refuge. I battled them with the washdown and we got rid of most of them. I actually had a chunk of dryer sheet in my tackle box and rubbed it on my legs, worked for 5 minutes tops. Then I found some Off! in the console and sprayed my legs, it was like butter to them. They loved it. I even sprayed one bastard directly, he bit me. Anyone have a real fly repellent that works? May have to go to boots and long pants. We figured that there must have been a big hatch on the ship and then we got too close and they loved us. Mark

[27 sailfish]

I laugh at you - only because I know you and can picture a giant being attacked by flies.

Been there / done that. One reason I wear long pants on the water , no matter how hot it gets outside.

Some of those biting flies will take a tiny piece of meat from your body.

The better repellant has DEET in it - even then some will bite you.

My guess - wind carried the flies out to the ship and then you came along ringing dinner bell to them.

FWIW: I carry three fly swatters in cabin.

[oldfart]

repel 100, 95% deet

[aquaboogie]

I fished today from the Honga to bloods worth and i feel your pain. luckily I always wear long pants and shirts. My fishing buddy wasn't so fortunate and spent the whole day fighting flies.

[sunman]

I carry a lite pair of PJ's on the boat. My buddy wore my PJ's the last time out so they weren't on the boat 2 days ago. Used some bull frog repellent with sun screen and worked good. Sometimes on the islands there is a hatch of green heads and they are the worst.

[crabby and son]

Try to catch a bunch of them. They are great smoked! I can remember running from them at the Target ship like they were dragons............Gary

[heresricky]

Cactus juice works pretty good.

[Polkster]

I have pretty good success with using the fogger sprays too. I use off with as much deet and use the outdoor fogger that you would use on a deck or patio. It will usually kill any around and keeps them away a little while. For whatever reason, it seems if you have just gone in the water for a swim they are worst and almost attracted to the salt. I agree, if you forget off or fogger, its time to go in. NOT FUN!!

[weem]

After 25 years hand to hand combat----nosee'ums require only a fan directed at yourself.
mosquitoes----------deet, fan and lite-colored long sleeve pants and shirts.
greenheads-----freezing weather,the rosary, and hand to hand combat in that order. Greenheads are looking for blood and shade. I found that deet, citronella, bounce rubbed on your skin and many other "remedies" put the greenies into a biting frenzie-------your only viable defense is a fly swatter.

[Shawn Kimbro]

I had a similar experience at the Target Ship a few weeks ago. It was so bad we all jumped into the water to escape. That worked for only as long as we could hold our breath. We ran five miles and the flies stayed on the boat.